Floor furnace valve



June 2, 1942..

FLoR- FURNACF:v VALVE -Filed June 5, 1941 2 Sheets-SheetI 1 June 2, 1942. c. s. sTucKENHoLT FLOOR FURNACE VALVE 'Filed' June 5, v1941 2 sheets-simet- 2 Patented June 2, 1942 l FLOOR FURNACE VALVE Casper S. Stuckenholt, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The W. J. Schoenberger Company, Cleve- Y land, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 5, 1941, Serial No. 396,765

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in valves, being particularly directed to valves for use with oor furnaces.

The conventional oor furnace construction comprises a cast manifold upon which is mounted two valves for supporting gas to apilot and main burner respectively. In order to meet requirements of the American Gas Association laboratory, to the elfect that means must be providedforV preventing the main burner valve from being turned on before the pilot valve, it has been the practice to employ valves with special swivels and a locking plate connecting one valve with the other. The use of two valves embodying such special features as the locking plate and swivels` has proven expensive and `otherwise somewhat unsatisfactory.v

One of the general objects of the present invention is to provide a single valve capable of meeting the aforesaid requirements thus eliminating the locking plate.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve ofthe above character with means for providing a high or a low volume flow'of gas to the main burner. Y

Other objects and advantages will be apparent'as the description-is considered in connection with the accompanyingv drawings wherein:

Figure l is a plan View of the improved plug valve as usedrwith a manually controlled fur- 1 nace;

Figure 2 is a section ltaken on line 2-2 o Figure Figure. 3V is a side elevation of the valve;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

washer;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the safety lock washer taken on line I2--I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a plan View of the needle valve; Figure 14 is a sideview of the needle valve; Figure 15 is a bottom View of the flanged cap member;

improved plug Figure 16 Vis a perspective view of the flanged cap member;l K

Figure 17 is an end view of the plug valve coil spring;

Figure 18 is a side View of thespring shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a planview of thelocking plate;

Figure 2Ov is a side View of the locking plate;

Figure 21 is an end view of the valve stem and' Y v Figure 22 is a partial sectional View of the valve stem. swivel and operating rod` Referring more. particularly to the drawings the'improved valve comprises a preferably cast valve housing or casing I, having therein a vertically. disposed .tapered plug receiving bore 2. Projectingsrearwardly at right; angleszto the bore 2 is an enlarged hollow gas inlet extension 3, interiorly threaded ais at l and provided with an upwardly,extendingfastening flange 5. The extension k1i is adapted to be threadedly connected with thehouse gas supply line (not shown), and the. iiange5 is provided with screw openings 6, to facilitate securing the valve to a suitable .support suchas the wall of a furnace, also not` shown.

Projecting'y outwardly from the front of the casing I, is a horizontally disposed hollow extension l, axially aligned With the bore of rearwardly lextending hollow extension 3. The outer endof Athe extension 'l is provided with an adjustable threaded perforated cap 8, throughv which gas will flowvto the usual mixing tube of a main burner, not shown. These oppositely-prou jecting hollow extensions 3 and 'l communicate with the plug receiving bore 2.at their outer and inner ends respectively, through aligned oppositely disposed openings 22 and 23 in the casing.

A pair of parallel extensionsI or nipples 9 and lilv extend outwardly from' the right side of the casing, when looking toward the front end of extensioni. The nipple 9 is adapted for 4connection with a conventional pilot light for the main burner, also not shown, a length of copper tubing or the like 21 connected to a coupling member 21,'being employed for this purpose, Gas is delivered to the nipple 9 through a transverse passage 2li adapted to communicate with a plug valve I8 in a manner presently understood. The nipple I0, which communicates with the interior of hollow gas inlet extension 3, by means of a Atransverse passage Il in axial alinement with the well of nipple lll, serves as a means for adjusting the rate of gas flow from the nipple Ill,

to the plug valve I8, through an inwardly and forwardly inclined passage 25, and iinally through nipple 9 to the pilot light or burner. Thus the nipple I is provided with a needle valve I2 which is in turn enclosed and protected by means of a cap I3. This needle valve regulates or adjusts the amount of gas flowing from inlet extension 3 into nipple ID through transverse passage II and thence out through inclined passage 25, in an obvious manner.

A second adjustment nipple I4, projecting from the left hand side of the casing, or in a direction opposed to the pilot adjustment extension or nipple 9, provides for a predetermined low or simmer ame at the burner when the valve is moved to reduced iiow or simmer position. This nipple I4 is internally threaded to receive a needle valve I5, similar to the valve I2. Gas flowing into the nipple I4 through an inclined passage I6, leading from hollow extension 3, to the well of nipple I4, continues through a horizontally disposed axial passage I1 leading inwardly from the nipple to plug receiving bore 2, and finally to the apertured outlet nipple or extension 1, in a manner presently described. The volume of ow can be reduced to any desired predetermined minimum by screwing the needle valve inwardly in an obvious manner. A cap 26 encloses and protects the needle valve I5 against tampering.

The tapered plug or valve I8 is adapted to be snugly but rotatably received in the tapered bore 2 of the casing I. The valve plug is formed with a large transverse opening I9, approximately midway of its length, and with a relatively small transverse opening leading to the larger opening I9. The opening 28 extends at right angles to the opening or passage I9 and in a plane which bisects the axis of .the latter approximately midway its length. The plug is also formed with a peripheral groove or passage 2|, extending around the lower end of the plug approximately 270 and is spaced downwardly a substantial distance from the plug openings or passages I9 and 20. When the plug is seated in the bore 2, the groove 2| therein will lie in a common plane with the inner ends of inclined passage 24 and axial passage 25, leading respectively from bore 2 to nipple 9 and from nipple I0 to bore 2, so that these passages 24 and 25 will be in the path of movement of the groove. Likewise the aligned main inlet and main outlet openings 22 and 23 leading from the hollow extension 3 to the bearing surface of the plug receiving bore 2 and from the bore to and through the passage 5B of extension 1, respectively lie in the path of movement of and a're adapted to be brought into and out of register with the plug passages I9 and 20 when the plug valve is appropriately rotated.

In operation the valve plug is manually rotated by means of a valve stem 28 having its lower or inner end extending into and interengaging with a hollow extension formed on the outer end of the plug, the stem being provided with a socket member 30 swiveled thereto by means of pin 30. This member is formed with a squared opening 3I, adapted to receive the correspondingly squared lower end of a conventional and relatively long operating rod or handle 58, which is manually manipulated from the floor above. The movable socket member 30 facilitates the operation of connecting the long rod 58 to the stem and also aiords suiicient flexibility to prevent the valve from binding during movement from one station to another. Hollow extension 29 is formed with two oppositely arranged slots 32 and 33 of different width to slidably receive nger portions 34 and 35 integrally formed on the inner or lower end of stem 28, when the latter is partially inserted within the hollow extension against the tension of a coil spring 39, seated in the hollow extension. The ringer portions are proportioned to fit the slots 32 and 33 and are of different width to insure proper assembly. A locking plate or member 4U seated on the coil spring between the latter and the end of the stem, is formed with fingers 44 and 45 of different length and width adapted to be forced into interlocking engagement with the slots 32 and 33 by the stem.

A iianged apertured cap member 36 sleeved over the valve stem is formed with a depending ange 36V having apertured ears 31 and 31 which seat upon and are secured to laterally extending aperture lugs 38 and 38 formed on the upper face of outer end of the casing I. A safety lock washer 46 is interposed between the cap member 36 and the end face of the casing for a purpose presently described. The forwardly facing portion of the cap ange' 36 is formed. with a cut away portion or recess 4I approximately midway between the two apertured ears 31 and 31 and adjoining this recess in stepped relation thereto is a second and deeper out out portion or recess 42 which extends to the apertured ear 31'.. One end of the recess 4I serves as a stop shoulder 43 for limiting movement of the valve in a clockwise direction when the elongated arm 44 of the locking plate 40, is moved thereagainst. The cap 36 is also formed with a depression 41 at the point of juncture between the depending cap flange 36 and the apertured ear 31 and the inwardly or rearwardly facing portion of the ange is formed with a cut away portion or recess 48. The recess 42 and the depression 41 serve to respectively lock an-d resiliently latch the valve against movement in either direction when the locking and latching plate 40 reaches these respective stations, while one end 49 of the cut away portion 48 serves as a stop wall to prevent further anti-clockwise rotation of the valve when the latter is in position to permit a low ow of gas to the burner.

When the valve is in off or inactive position the arm 44 engages the stop shoulder 43 of recess 4I and prevents rotation in a clockwise direction. If the valve is now rotated in an anticlockwise direction until the arm 44 of lock plate 40, registers with the recess 42, the coil spring 39 forces the arm 44 into this recess with an audible clicking or snap action thus locking the valve in its iirst active position and in which a reduced supply of gas is delivered to the pilot light connection or nipple 9. The pilot gas enters hollow casing extension 3 fromrthe house gas line, not shown, and thence into nipple ID through small transverse passage II, axially aligned therewith. From nipple I0 the pilot gas flows through the inwardly and forwardly inclined passage 25, leading from the nipple III and through the bearing surface of the vertical plug receiving bore 2, formed in the casing I, where it is picked up by the plug slot or groove 2I which also communicates with the transverse passage 24 leading from the bore 2, to the nipple 9. Manual adjustment of the pilot flow, to compensate for dilerent pressures and kinds of gases encountered in varous localities, can be readily made by removing the cap I3 from nipple IIJ and screwing the needle valve I2 into or away from the outlet end y-of the plug and oneendl of the larger plug, passage lathe small passage 2being loca-ted,

of passage' Il, according to whether it is desired to reduce or increase the flow of gas to the pilot light.

In order to rotate the valve to its secondvactive vor full on position, in which a fullafiow of gas is delivered to the main burner, Vthe stem must be movedinward'ly in an axial direction until the arm 4d clears the right hand wall of recess 42. Whereuponvrotati'on of the valve in an anti-clockwise direction is continueduntilthe operator is apprised, when he hears a slight clicking soundrcaused by the arm 44 being forced into the depression 4i, that the desired full flow station has been reached. A full stream of vgas from inlet extension 3 will now flow throughV transverse plug passage i9, which is valigned with andr places the plug inlet and outlet openings 22 andv 23 in communication with each other, and thence through the apertured extension 1 to the burner. VIn this position the long armlliY of plate H 46' is resiliently latched in the depression M and the previously described flow of gas to the pilot continues. l

Still further rotation of the valve plug in an anti-clockwise direction may be effected by merely overcoming the resistance offered by the resiliently pressed arm 44 against movement out of its latching position against the tension of spring 39. When the arm 44 engages the previouslyV described shoulder 49 at one end of lthe cut away portion or recess 4B, anti-clockwise rotation of the plug will be denitely stopped. Gas will now flow from main inlet 3 through the small forwardly and outwardly inclined passage IS leading from the inletv 3 to the predetermined low iiow adjustment nipple I4 and thence in wardly` through an axial or transverse passage I1, leading Yfrom the nipple I4 to the interior or large passage i9 of plug i 8 and finally outthrough the small plug opening 20. The latter, at this time registers with the outlet opening 23 in the casing leadingto the gas passage 5B in extension "l, which in. turn is connected to the main burner. We now have a predetermined reduced iiow of gas to or predetermined low flame at the main burner with gas also flowing to the pilot. While the maximum flow of gas to and through the tting or extension 'I in this position is much less thanv when the valve is in full or high position, any desired or finer minimurn low iiow adjustment may be made by merely removing the cap 26 and screwing the adjustment valve l5, in an appropriate direction. u

It will4 be understood that when the valve plug 2 is in off or closed position, the small plug opening or passage 23,01? the'plug i8, will register with the gas inlet extension 3 and the low ow adjustment nipple or well i4 respectively. It will also be noted that, in this position, the large passage IS will be out of register with the opening 23 leading to passage 50 in extension 1, the opening 23 .being thus closed. At the same time, it will also be noted that forwardly and inwardly inclined passage leading from pilot flow adjustment nipple l0, to the plug receiving bore 2, is closed or blocked at the bore by that solid space or area 59 of the plug extending between the opposite ends of the groove 2l, and consequently no gas can flow to either the pilot -or main burner.

In the first active or pilot position the transverse passage I7 leading from the low flow adjustment nipple i4 to the plug bore is closed by the area or space between the small passage somewhat closer to the endg 6| of passage i9 than to the other end 62 thereof. Flow of gas from nipple I4 is thus closed andtherefore no gas canV reach the extension I or main burner from this source. The small opening 20 will also have been moved slightly in a clock-wise direction outof register with the opening 2'2 connecting inlet 3 with the casing bore 2 and the larger area or space 63 between the small bore -a'nd vrthe end 62 of passage |79, will closethe passage 23 leading to extension'l. andv thence'to the main burner. However the groove- A2i will now bridge the space between theypassages 2li Vand 25 and permit gas from inlet 3 andv nipple le toV reach nipple 9 and the pilot. Y

In the second or full flow position the passage AI'l leading from nipple i4 to the bore 2 is closed by the space 33 and the full flow casing and plug passages will be in aline'inent with each other thus permitting a fulliiow ofgas direct from inlet 3 to the burner. As the plug groove 2i continues to bridge the pilot flow passages 2li and 25 gas continues to flow to the pilot.

Further movement ofA the plug about ninety degrees in'an anti-clockwise direction moves the plug to its third activeor low flow position with the end E2 of passage i9 out of registerwith the full flow passage 22 and into register with the low iiow passage I1, without disturbing the cornmunication between the plug groove 2i and the pilot fiow passages 2li and 25. The small low flow plug opening or passage 20v/ill now register with outlet passage 5B in extension "i, A reversal of the abovey described operations will take place duringreturn movements of the valvethrough full on and pilot-flow back to closed position.

The lock washer 46 previously referred to herein, is provided with aperturedfears 53 corresponding to the apertured ears 31 and3'i on the cap 36, tofacilitate assembly on the'casing lugs 38 and 38. The washer 4G is also; formed with a depending horizontally'disposed flange 5i, which is provided with a cut out portion` or notch 5l' corresponding in size to and in verti- Y cal alinement with the locking notch 42 of the cap 36. Considerable difiiculty was experienced with the present valve, prior to the adoption of the lock washer, due to the fact that when shifting the valve stem axially in order to turn the valve plug from one station to another, the operator would frequently rnissl thedesired station. This was due to the fact thatbecause of the necessity of operating the valve from a distance, through the medium of the` long heavy and unwieldly vrod 58,l previously ,mentioned herein, it was impossible for the operator to hear the clicking of the locking plate 40, or to otherwise accurately determine the exact location of the arm 44 of this plate. By providing the flanged locking washer, it becomes necessary for the operator to feel for the desired position thus obviating the likelihood of inadvertently passing the desired station by pressing down too hard on the rod 58, connected to the valve stem. As an illustration, when the plug valve is in the rst active or pilot flow position the long arm 44 of the plate 40 is seated in the locking. notch d2, directly over the notch 57 in the flange 5I of the lock washer. Consequently if much pressure is exerted on the operating rod or handle 53 the arm 44 will be forced into locking notch 5'! and the valve will remain locked, and the operator will be'denitely apprised as to position and main gas supply line and said outlet extension being adapted for connection to the mixing tube of the furnace burner for conducting gas thereto, said casing having a Second outlet extension provided with a restricted passage leading to said bore for conducting gas from the bore to the pilot light for the furnace burner, a hollow extension on each side of said casing forming pockets, each of said pockets having a restricted passage leading thereto from said hollow inlet extension and also having a restricted passage leading to said plug receiving bore, said plug having an arcuate peripheral slot adjacent one end, a large cross passage extending transversely through the plug intermediate the ends thereof and a restricted opening leading from the periphery of the plug to and in a direction substantially at right angles with said large cross passage, said restricted passage leading from one of said pockets and from said second outlet v extension to said bore respectively being bridged by said arcuate slot and said restrictedpassage from the other of said pockets and the said inlet and outlet extensions being in the path of movement of said large passage and said communicating restricted passage in the plug such that when the plug is rotated from a closed position to its rst active position a reduced flow of gas may flow from the inlet extension to and through one of said pockets to said bore and thence through said arcuate slot into said second outlet extension, the flow of gas to the rst outlet extension being blocked by the plug, anc'. such that when the plug is rotated to its second active position a full volume of gas may flow from the inlet extension through the large cross passage in the plug to the first outlet extension While reduced flow to said second outlet extension continues, and such that when said valve plug is rotated to its third active position a reduced volume of gas may now from the inlet extension to and through the other of said pockets and thence through the large passage way in the plug to and through the restricted transverse passage in the plug to the first outlet extension While reduced ow to said second outlet extension continues. Y

2.v A valve for floor furnaces comprising a casing Vvvith a vertically arranged plug receiving bore, a plug rotatable in said bore and having an upwardly extending stem, a socket member attached to said stem forrelative rocking movement and. adapted for the attachment of an elongated rod for operatingl the valve, said casing having aligned gas inlet and outlet extensions communicating With the said bore and adapted to be connected respectively to a main gas vsupply line and to the mixing tube of the furnace burner for conducting gas thereto, said casing having a second outlet extension at one side of the casingl formed with a restricted outlet passage communicating with the plug receiving bore for conducting gas to the pilot light of the furnace burner, said inlet extension having restricted conducting means for conducting a restricted oW of gas to said bore at one side thereof and at a point adjacent said restricted outlet passage, said casing having a second restricted conducting means for conducting a restricted flow of gas to said bore at the other side thereof and from a Ypoint adjacent the main outlet of the inlet extension, said plug having an arcuate slot adjacent one end, a large cross passage in the plug and a restricted opening in the plug communicating with said cross passage, said iirst mentioned restricted conducting means and said restricted outlet passage being bridged by said arcuate slot and said inlet and outlet extensions being in the path of movement of said large passage and said communicating restricted passage in the plug such that when said plug is rotated from a closed position to its first active position a reduced flow of gas may flow from the inlet extension through said first mentioned restricted conducting means to said bore and thence through said arcuate slot into said second outlet extension, the flow of gas to the first outlet extension being blocked by the plug, and such that when the plug is rotated to its second active position a full volume of gas may flow from the inlet extension through the large cross passage in the plug to the first outlet extension while reduced flow to the second outlet extension continues, and such that when the said valve plug is rotated to its third active position a reduced volume of gas may flow from the inlet extension to and through said second restricted conducting means to said bore at the side thereof'substantially opposite said restricted outlet passage and thence through the large passageway in the plug to and through the restricted transverse passage in the plug tothe first outlet extension While reduced ow to said second outlet extension continues.

CASPER S. STUCKENHOLT. 

